14 MARCH 1925, Page 16

"ALL-IN" INSURANCE

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sm,—It has always struck me since I saw the proposals that a scheme of " All-In " Insurance, such as propounded by Mr. Broad, would be of the greatest benefit to'the country from all points of view. It . would, however, be interesting to know what safeguards Mr. Broad would suggest against malingering, which I fear would be a very serious matter with the whole of the adult working population embraced in the scheme, and the conditions of out-of-work made so much more " comfortable," as would undoubtedly be the case.

It is, of course, unfortunate that those deserving of help should have to suffer for those not deserving, but with the expe:- rience of malingering under existing conditions it is a matter of very serious irriportance.—I am, Sir, &c.,

CONSTANT READER.

Mr. C. A. Moss writes :—Mr. Broad's prompt reply to my letter is appreciated. Assregards insured persons between sixteen' and eighteen Years of age, I note Mr. Broad now states they " will pay half the contributions and receive half the benefits." No mention of this appears in Mr. Broad's Scheme, however. Sonic provision of this kind is indispensable for otherwise many youths and girls would be much better off financially when out of emplOyment than when in wark. Mr. Broad also says his proposals will " increase Old Age Pensions three times (from 10s. to 30s. per week)," ' but in the case of the " aged worker and his wife " (to whom. my letter specially referred) this Statement is not quite accurate, for at present each could receive a pension of 10s. per week (making together 20s. weekly), as against a joint pension of 30s. under the Broad. Scheme. I would again urge an Old Age Pension of more than 30s. per week for the worker and his wife, as this sum is not enough to enable them to live in comfort in their declining years. Mr. Broad is in sympathy with this view. I trust he will do his best to secure its adoption. An increase of a few shillings is all that is necessary. My reading of Mr. Broad's Scheme leads me to think that he means retirement at sixty-three years of age to be com- pulsory, and in the main I agree with him, though perhaps a very good case could be made out for compulsory retire- ment at sixty-five with an option to retire at any time between sixty and sixty-five.